Mr. Sawtelle is co-leader of the Media, Publishing and Marketing group.  He brings a long history of successfully serving a variety of clients, from small start-ups to publicly traded companies, in these industries as well as others.

Mr. Sawtelle is an accomplished litigator who has led trial teams handling all manner of commercial, intellectual property, and employment disputes for more than 20 years.  He has tried to verdict more than 50 civil bench and jury cases in State and Federal Courts throughout the country, with a track record of notable victories. 

A trusted advisor and advocate, Mr. Sawtelle’s experience enables clients to achieve the results they seek, whether through risk analysis and counseling, litigation avoidance, dispute resolution by settlement, or victory at trial.

Mr. Sawtelle also serves as Hiring Partner for the Colorado offices.

Select Representations

• Since 2001, has served as preferred counsel and relationship partner for one of the nation’s largest media companies, overseeing a variety of legal matters, including:
• Commercial Litigation
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Employment Counseling and Litigation
• Contract Negotiations
• Data Privacy / Security
• Class Action Defense
• Consumer Protection
• Executive Compensation and Benefits
• Brand Licensing Agreements
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Joint Ventures
• Won a jury verdict of $16.7 million, including a record-setting $15 million in punitive damages, as lead counsel for an investor group in an action against a multinational corporation
• As lead trial counsel, negotiated a settlement valued at $13.5 million for 79 small business clients in a commercial dispute against a governmental entity
• On behalf of a closely held marketing firm, developed a multi-state litigation program to address losses arising from recurring contract disputes, winning more than $3.8 million in judgments for the client
• Negotiated a no-payment dismissal as defense counsel for a national broadcasting group, eliminating multi-million-dollar damages claims asserted  by a terminated executive

Bar and Court Admissions

Colorado, 1998

Iowa, 1991

United States Supreme Court

United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Eighth and Tenth Circuits

United States District Courts for the District of Colorado, and Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa

Education

University of Iowa, J.D., with distinction, 1991

University of Iowa, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, with distinction, 1988

Languages

Spanish

Speeches and Seminars

• "Delivering Maximum Value Through Expert Witnesses," Renaissance Symposium VI at the Harvard Club, New York, NY (2012)
• "Privacy and Social Media in the Workplace," 11th Annual Advanced Employment Law, Cheyenne, WY (2012)
• "Use of Referees and Special Masters in Discovery," National Association of Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2011)
• "Internal Investigation Best Practices," 10th Annual Advanced Employment Law, Cheyenne, WY (2011)
• "Direct Examination,” Faculty of Federal Advocates Trial Advocacy College, Denver, CO (2010)

Professional Affiliations

• Media Law Resource Center
• Copyright and Trademark Committee
• International Association of Privacy Professionals
• Colorado Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Civic Involvement and Honors

• Best Lawyers in America®
• Colorado Super Lawyers®
• Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5.0
• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
• Complex Commercial Litigation Institute